I'm often indecisive on this topic. Should I put some music on when I write or should I enjoy the comfort of absolute silence?
Now I know that there are those of you reading this who, instead of music or silence, prefer to turn the television on when you write; but I don't understand how you wouldn't be constantly distracted. Combine the distraction of the TV with the laptop you're writing on having internet access and forget getting any writing completed ever again. If I were in that position, my word processor would be taking the back seat to Firefox tab flipping and channel surfing on the remote control.
As I write this I'm listening to the band Fleet Foxes' big hit, White Winter Hymnal. It's such a catchy song that I'm having a little bit of trouble keeping my train of thought. So maybe that's at least my problem. If I'm listening to a really good song I have a lot of trouble keeping it tuned out while having my writing remain in the foreground. See, now that I'm listening to some mellow instrumental music (The Album Leaf, actually) I'm able to focus more on this post.
However, even strictly instrumental songs will sometimes make it hard for me to focus on the task at hand. I was typing up something yesterday while listening to a classical piece on a podcast I downloaded, and the song was so good that I had to stop writing and listen to it.
How about writing in silence though? Well, most of us I think don't have the luxury of twenty four hour access to an absolutely quiet writing environment. Be it cars outside on the road, a roommate or spouse in the kitchen, or your cat scratching on your couch (curse you, Maurice), we can't have total silence. On the other hand, have you tried writing (or even reading) in an isolated corner at your local library? I have become so used to little background noises like the ones I just described that I sometimes find the dead silence in libraries uncomfortable.
Well, how can we find a nice equilibrium then? Two words: coffee shops. No, no, I'm not talking about that drive-thru Starbucks you get your coffee from every morning. I'm asking you to give that local mom and pop coffee house a try. Set up camp there and see what kind of writing you can get done. I've found with some light ambient mood music along with the other customers around me quietly keeping to themselves, that this is very calming and conducive to my writing style. Don't worry, you can always get your writing done at home, but take a chance and try writing at a coffee house nearby.
But I'm only one writer of many. Where is your writing hot spot? Do you listen to any tunes while you're there?
P.S.: Also, what about your best times to get writing done? Dawn and after midnight are my favorite times to write. - 16083
Now I know that there are those of you reading this who, instead of music or silence, prefer to turn the television on when you write; but I don't understand how you wouldn't be constantly distracted. Combine the distraction of the TV with the laptop you're writing on having internet access and forget getting any writing completed ever again. If I were in that position, my word processor would be taking the back seat to Firefox tab flipping and channel surfing on the remote control.
As I write this I'm listening to the band Fleet Foxes' big hit, White Winter Hymnal. It's such a catchy song that I'm having a little bit of trouble keeping my train of thought. So maybe that's at least my problem. If I'm listening to a really good song I have a lot of trouble keeping it tuned out while having my writing remain in the foreground. See, now that I'm listening to some mellow instrumental music (The Album Leaf, actually) I'm able to focus more on this post.
However, even strictly instrumental songs will sometimes make it hard for me to focus on the task at hand. I was typing up something yesterday while listening to a classical piece on a podcast I downloaded, and the song was so good that I had to stop writing and listen to it.
How about writing in silence though? Well, most of us I think don't have the luxury of twenty four hour access to an absolutely quiet writing environment. Be it cars outside on the road, a roommate or spouse in the kitchen, or your cat scratching on your couch (curse you, Maurice), we can't have total silence. On the other hand, have you tried writing (or even reading) in an isolated corner at your local library? I have become so used to little background noises like the ones I just described that I sometimes find the dead silence in libraries uncomfortable.
Well, how can we find a nice equilibrium then? Two words: coffee shops. No, no, I'm not talking about that drive-thru Starbucks you get your coffee from every morning. I'm asking you to give that local mom and pop coffee house a try. Set up camp there and see what kind of writing you can get done. I've found with some light ambient mood music along with the other customers around me quietly keeping to themselves, that this is very calming and conducive to my writing style. Don't worry, you can always get your writing done at home, but take a chance and try writing at a coffee house nearby.
But I'm only one writer of many. Where is your writing hot spot? Do you listen to any tunes while you're there?
P.S.: Also, what about your best times to get writing done? Dawn and after midnight are my favorite times to write. - 16083
